This is an interesting story. I can see it not being Walmart policy, or even the way they like to do business -- same with many other companies whose employees do dumb things like that. But the companies, I think, are responsible for these actions, because they've drummed into employees the need to do things in just a certain way with no deviations, and also the need to squeeze every penny of profit out of a transaction. This, along with the fear of losing their job that companies typically use to "motivate" employees, leaves these people shell-shocked and afraid to use any judgement or initiative. It culminates in silly episodes like this -- episodes which no doubt baffle the corporate heads, even though they've played a big part in creating the problem.